USA > Missouri > A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III > Part 88
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The veteran Trenton attorney had the training of an average Penn- sylvania farm boy during the '40s and '50s. When the strength of his body was sufficiently mature, he was given plenty of work on the farm, but his studious nature and strong inclination for learned pursuits caused him to make the most of his educational opportunities. When nineteen he entered the Markville Normal Institute, paid his own tuition and the most of his living expenses, and on graduating in 1859 was well qualified for a position as teacher. While teaching in Perry County he also studied in the law office of MeIntire & Son at New Bloomfield, and at the April term of the Court of Common Pleas in Perry County, in 1862, obtained admission to the bar. He then went to Ohio, follow- ing his father, and the winter of 1862-63 was spent in teaching in Put- nam County. Then in June, 1863, the interests of the school and of his profession were put aside, and he became one of the many units who were fighting for the union of states. He enlisted in Company I of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and soon afterward was sent south. After fifteen months of service he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and later became quartermaster of the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment. He remained with his command and in active service
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until peace came between the North and South, and was granted his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, on June 30, 1865.
Though he went back to Ohio, he almost at once took leave of his home folks and on the 12th of July arrived at Trenton. Opening his office as a lawyer, he has since been in continuous practice except so far as his official duties have interfered. Mr. Burkeholder brought his wife with him to Trenton. In 1862 he had married Rebecca A. Waltner, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 3, 1840, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Waltner, and who died December 20, 1912. Of their marriage are two sons and one daughter still living, namely: Poe, Norton and Bliss. Poe married Laura L. Hubbell, and has two children, Wolcott Hudson and George Waltner. Norton married Sarah Wolz, and their three children are Elizabeth N., Martha B. and John Hudson. Bliss is unmarried.
While as a lawyer Mr. Burkeholder has long been one of the leaders of the Grundy County bar, he has given many years of his career to unselfish public service. He was ten years president of the board of trustees of the Grand River College and for a similar period a member of the Trenton Board of Education. In 1866, the year follow- ing his arrival in Trenton, he was elected judge of probate, an office which he filled admirably four years. In 1871 occurred his appoint- ment to the office of prosecuting attorney, and in the following year his administration was endorsed by a popular election. In 1876 he was elected to represent the fourth district in the Missouri Senate. In that body he was a member of the committee on criminal jurisprudence and others, and in the thirtieth assembly was chairman of the committee to revise all tax and assessment laws relating to railroad property. He was author of the law permitting an increased levy for the support of schools and for the erection of school buildings, and a number of other acts that became laws of the state.
In 1892 he was nominated by his party for Congress from the second district, made a canvass of six weeks, but was defeated by his democratic opponent.
Mr. Burkeholder still lives in Trenton, and is in his eightieth year.
HENRY A. CRAWFORD. What Henry A. Crawford has accomplished in acquiring a home and building up substantial prosperity as a farmer may well prove a stimulus and incentive to others. He is an Indiana man who a little. more than thirty years ago found himself possessed of a family but no capital and with restricted opportunities for getting ahead in the world. He accordingly determined to come out to North- west Missouri. He had to borrow money to ship his household effects, and arrived in Andrew county with no special credentials except a willingness to work and an ambition which has steadily propelled him forward to better things. His first attempt at getting a home of his own was the buying of half an interest in four acres, with two years to pay for it at ten per cent interest, then a prevailing and not unusual rate for the use of money, but before the note was due he bought out his partner. By thrift, hard work and close economy he managed to pay for the four acres, and by repeating the same process bought two acres, later buying another four acres. He has never been afraid to assume liability, having the courage and the self-reliance necessary to meet obligations as they fall due. After getting ten acres he bought another tract of land of twenty-five acres nearby, and then followed that with the purchase of eight acres. He next bought 91/2 acres, and then bought fifteen acres. His transactions included at that time 671/2 acres and he later bought 100 acres, and after selling sixty acres two
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years ago he still has a farm of 1071/2 acres, all paid for with a surplus in the bank, and with a credit carefully maintained that entitles him to the trust and confidence of every business man in Andrew County. Mr. Crawford spent a number of years in the heavy task of clearing up brush land, since practically all his acreage when he secured it was raw land and had to be cleared before it could be cultivated. His first home was a small box house unplastered, and hardly worth $25. Mr. Crawford is a mechanic, having built all of his buildings, which are modern. He now owns a fine home with all the conveniences of good living, has pro- vided liberally for his family, has at different times been a factor in community enterprise, and has also helped several of his relatives to get started in the same section of Missouri.
Henry A. Crawford was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, May 8, 1860, a son of John R. and Joeta (Cox) Crawford. His father was born in Thomastown, Maine, April 2, 1832, and his mother was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, February 26, 1838. His father grew up in Maine and Massachusetts, and was married in Frankfort, Kentucky, April 20, 1854. From Kentucky they removed to Indiana, and spent the rest of their lives there on a farm. John R. Crawford served three years in the Civil war, having enlisted in the Sixth Indiana Infantry, and after his term of service was over he reentered the service as a veteran. He lived to a good age and died in January, 1901, while his wife passed away in February, 1889. They were the parents of six sons: Adalbert, of Platte Township; James S., of Parnell, Missouri; Henry A., of Platte Township; George A., who was born September 3, 1865, and died at the age of ten years; Samuel, of Columbus, Indiana; and Edward, who died at the age of five years.
Henry A. Crawford grew up on the Indiana farm, received the train- ing of a country boy, and in country schools, and lived there until 1882. He was the first of his family to come to Andrew County, Missouri, and has been at his present location in Platte Township since 1883. His farm is one of exceptional improvements, and is well deserving the title of West Lawn Farm. It is noted as a breeding farm for Poland China hogs, though Mr. Crawford is also a general grain raiser and stock farmer.
In affairs outside his home place, he has taken an interest in several business enterprises. For the past nine years he has been on the board of directors of the Andrew County Mutual Fire, Lightning and Tornado Insurance Company, and for several years served as a director of the Andrew County Mutual Telephone Company. For nine years he was a member of the local school board. Politically he gives his support to the republican party.
February 7, 1877, Mr. Crawford married Amelia Jane Bivens, who was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, October 11, 1859, and grew up and was married there. Her parents were James and Lydia Bivens. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have a fine family of children, there having been eight births, the three first in Indiana and the others in Andrew County. Edward M., the oldest, is a farmer in Platte Township, and by his marriage to Lulu Beatie has three children; John O., who was born October 3, 1880, was murdered in Lewistown, Montana, November 8, 1913, leaving a widow and two children by his first wife; Frank A., a resident of Minneapolis, married Minnie Bryant and has one child; Orpha is . the wife of George Silvers of Platte Township, and has three children; Archie B. married Lillie Beattie, and has one child by a former marriage; Goldie M. is the wife of Earnest Deal of Platte Township, and has one child ; Elsie died in infancy ; and Freeman, the youngest, lives at home.
LEONARD A. SAUNDERS. The development of a sound optimism and intelligence throughout the country has brought the vocation of agricul-
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ture to something between a profession and a science, the great possi- . bilities of which can be but partially mastered by any one individual dur- ing his years of endeavor. Thus it is that in the various departments of agricultural work, men have arisen who are experts in their special lines, and through their labors the farming interests of the country are re- ceiving great encouragement. Among the men who have attained prominence in this way in Northwest Missouri, none perhaps is better known than Leonard A. Saunders, whose connection with agricultural organizations and expositions has made him, so familiar to the people that he has acquired the title of the "Corn Show Man of Missouri." He has been a resident of Andrew County all of his life, is a farmer of experience and practical training, and at the present time is the owner of a valuable farm in Benton Township.
Mr. Saunders was born at Whitesville, Andrew County, Missouri, September 29, 1877, and is a son of Orris B. and Mary A. (Combest) Saunders. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and in his younger years was a seafaring man, traveling extensively for his day. He was still a young man when he removed from the East to Saint Joseph, Mis- souri, there taking up the trade of tinner as one of the first men to engage in that business in that city. He was married at Whitesville, Missouri, January 31, 1856, to Miss Mary A. Combest, who was born in Kentucky, and not long after their marriage they set out to make the journey across the plains to California. Soon, however, they returned to Mrs. Saunders' father's farm, three miles east of Whitesville, and there made their home for many years, Mr. Saunders accumulating 500 acres of good land and engaging in grain and stockraising. In his later years he retired from active pursuits and went to Savanah, where he continued to make his home until his death, in February, 1908. Mrs. Saunders, who survives him, resides at Pasadena, California. After his retirement, Mr. Saunders was much interested in the five-gaited, saddle horse, horse back riding being his chief enjoyment. He was prominent in local democratie poli- tics, was a man held in high esteem as a citizen, was prominent in Masonic circles, and was a faithful member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Saunders were the parents of the following children: Pauline C. Powell, who is deceased; William S., also deceased; Archie D., who is a resident of Maryville; Lula A., the wife of U. D. Jennings, of Bolekow ; Virdie, who is the wife of J. R. White, of Whitesville ; Edith A., the wife of William M. Holt, of Leeton, Missouri; Dollie V., the wife of Fred Camp, of Los Angeles, California; Mollie, who is the wife of Ed Fisher, of Warrensburg, Missouri; Mildred, the wife of William Bailey, of Suffolk, Virginia; Leonard A., of this review; and Crystal, who is the wife of J. W. Thompson, of Pasadena, California.
Leonard A. Saunders received his early education in the public schools, following which for three years he attended Drake University. He grew up on his father's farm and resided under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, when he rented and operated his father's farm of 500 acres, conducting it for about six years. When his father died the farm was sold, and Mr. Saunders purchased his present prop- erty, a tract of seventy-five acres, adjoining the corporate limits of the Town of Bolckow, on the south, in section 11, Benton Township. Here Mr. Saunders has erected modern buildings and a substantial residence, and in his farming operations has met with decided success. He uses . the most up-to-date methods and modern improved machinery, and as a business man has won the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings. In 1909 Mr. Saunders leased a part of his farm to be used as Fair Grounds, but in 1914 sold out to J. O. Dougan, this being a tract of thirty acres.
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In the encouragement of agriculturists and agricultural interests there are few men who have contributed in greater degree than has Mr. Saunders. An energetic, progressive man, and an enthusiastic "booster" for his community, he has been secretary of the Whitesville Interstate Corn and Poultry Association since its organization, superintendent of the Corn Show and manager of the Corn Show News, and the only salaried man connected with the association. This organization, formed to protect and foster the interests of the agriculturists of Whitesville and the surrounding locality, started in a modest manner, but has yearly grown in importance, so that today it interests farmers all over the state, and attracts many from other commonwealths. Its annual feature, the Corn Show, is ably handled by Mr. Saunders, and the Corn Show News, as edited by him, is a bright and newsy sheet, telling of the happenings of the exposition and those who attend and exhibit at it. The Futurity Corn Show is a new feature, entirely Mr. Saunders' idea, and is a distinct departure from the old cut and dried methods.
It may not be inappropriate to here quote from an article which appeared in the Kansas City Star, date November 18, 1914, which said, in part: "Eight years ago the farmers near Whitesville, Missouri, rebelled. For years they had had their recreation and entertainment wrapped up and delivered to them by the Whitesville merchants in much the same way they got their sugar and dry goods. Then someone asked why, and the rebellion was on. 'Yes, why ?' asked the farm dwellers, discovering at the same time they possessed the power to make up their community mind for themselves and without the aid of any town. 'Why should anyone try to do anything for us?' they asked. 'Are we not plenty able to do things for ourselves? Farming is the most important part of the community life hereabouts, so why not put farming to the front?' And so it was done. The farmers organized a farmers' club and the merchants joined in and were glad to belong and content to see the farmers occupying all the club offices. Whites- ville is not on a railroad. It was not distinguished for one single thing when the farmers' club took charge of its destinies eight years ago, so they proceeded to formulate a plan to make it famous. A corn show was decided on as the vehicle of greatness, and the club provided liberal cash prizes and said to the world : 'Come on with your corn. If you can win our money you are welcome to it.' That was taking in lots of territory- fact is, Whitesville took on too much territory at first, but it was the making of the show and the eighth annual Interstate Corn Show, at Whitesville, December 7 to 10 (1914) will perhaps be the greatest of the state. Corn is expected to be entered from several states, and Whitesville does not expect to pay out all the prize money to strangers by a good deal. Whitesville farmers are conspicuous winners each year at the state fair and they take prizes at all the great shows of the nation. Two years ago a member of their club had the honor of showing the best peck of wheat at Charleston, South Carolina. 'World competition is what has made our show,' declares Len A. Saunders, secretary of the club. 'Outside competition has developed our own corn breeders as nothing else would. I have been to many corn shows where the territory was limited and have thought it did the exhibitor in small classes more harm than good to get a first. It made him satisfied with medium quality. I can truthfully say competition is the life of corn shows.' The second year of the Corn Show it grew too big for the Odd Fellows Hall. The club organized a $10,000 stock company and built itself a permanent home. An example of the efficiency of the farmers' club is the fact that for eight years it has had no change of officers. J. F. Roberts has been the president continually and under him and Mr. Saunders it has pros- Vol. III-38
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pered amazingly. Another thing, the secretary has always been paid for his work, the theory being that he was worth it-and he is." "The Corn Show Man of Missouri" has been frequently called upon to organize other associations of this kind, his ability in this direction being generally acknowledged throughout the state. He has found time to serve efficiently as a member of the school boards of Whitesville and Bolekow, having acted in this capacity almost from the time he attained his majority. His political support is given to the democratic party. Mr. Saunders is a member of the Christian Church at Bolekow, and for a number of years has served as superintendent of the Sunday school.
In December, 1902, Mr. Saunders was united in marriage to Miss Kate L. Bartholomew, who was born at Whitesville, in 1881, daughter of Henry and Martha Bartholomew. Mr. Bartholomew, who was an early settler of Whitesville, and one of the first harness makers at that place, died after many years of industrious labor there, Mrs. Bartholomew surviving. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, namely : Mary Olive, Vincent Henry, Leonard Clayton and Harry Irving, all residing at home.
JAMES E. ETHERTON. Born in one of the pioneer homes of Ray County, James E. Etherton has for many years been identified with the farming community of Davis Township in Caldwell County. By good judgment and industry he has provided his declining years with a comfortable home and a sufficient prosperity, and he and his good wife have reared a family who do them honor. Mr. Etherton has a farm of eighty acres, and lives in peace and comfort. His house contains seven rooms, surrounded by lawns, shade trees and fruit orchard, and under his management his fields have been regularly producing the staple crops of Caldwell County for an entire generation.
James E. Etherton was born six miles northeast of Knoxville in Ray County in 1848. His father, William Etherton, was born in Kentucky, October 2, 1818, and was brought to Ray County in 1832 by his father, William Etherton, Sr. The last named was one of the first settlers in this section of Missouri, and built and operated the first water power grist mills in northern Ray County. William Etherton, Jr., married in Ray County, Mary Ann Thogmartin, who was born in Tennessee, and came with her father, Joseph Thogmartin, from that state to Ray County in 1833. Thus on both sides of the house Mr. Etherton is connected with some of the earliest families who helped to make history in Ray County. William Etherton and wife were the parents of the following children : William, who enlisted in the Confederate army in the Civil war and was killed while fighting with Gen. Sterling Price in the battle of Frank- lin in 1864; Thomas, who is also deceased ; Mary J., who lives in Topeka, Kansas; Henry, who died at the age of fourteen; James, of this review ; and Warren, who died in October, 1914, leaving a widow and children. Mr. Etherton's mother died at the age of thirty-two, and his father later married Margaret Watson, and that union resulted in five children: Thomas, deceased; John, deceased; Mary Ann; Sally, deceased; and Dr. William C., who practices at Millville, Missouri. The father of these children died at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a democrat in polities and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
James E. Etherton grew up on the old farm in Ray County, and had his experiences in the log cabin days of this section. He attended a school kept in a log cabin, but his career is only one of many illustrations that prove how such primitive schools did not fail to produce useful men and women and the citizens who bore the brunt of progress during the last century.
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At the age of twenty-seven, on January 10, 1877, Mr. Etherton mar- ried Hannah P. Davis, of one of the oldest and most prominent families in Caldwell County. She was born in Davis Township April 10, 1859, a daughter of John T. Davis and a granddaughter of Dennis Davis, the pioneer in whose honor the township was named. John T. Davis married Margaret Moore, who was born in Illinois, and they became the parents of the following children: Rose, deceased; Mary A., of Kansas City; Elizabeth, deceased; George W., a prominent Davis Township citizen; Dennis, deceased ; Joanna, deceased ; John T., Jr .; Margaret H., of Bald- win, Kansas; Walter S., deceased; and Mrs. Etherton. Mr. Davis died at the age of eighty-four years. He was a democrat and a member of the Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Etherton have lived on their present farm for thirty- seven years, and in that time have won prosperity from the cultivation of its acres, have had a happy and contented home life and are now in a position to enjoy the comforts of declining years. Their first child, Henry C., has followed a career as an educator and married a popular teacher of St. Louis, and both have made a name in educational affairs. William F. died at the age of three years. Margaret E. lives at home. John Luther, an active farmer of Taney County, is married and is the father of one child, Morris C., aged three years. James T. farms at home with his father. Mr. Etherton is a democrat, and has served on the home school board.
JOHN H. VIRDEN, one of the well known farmers and stockmen of Harrison County, Missouri, is a native of the community in which he now resides, his birth having occurred December 6, 1854, and the old birth- place now being owned by his sister, Mrs. Naomi Kinkade. The tradi- tional history of the Virdens is that they came from England, the direct progenitor being the great-grandfather of John H. Virden, who took up his residence in the State of Delaware.
John W. Virden, the father of John H. Virden, came to Missouri from Ohio, where he was temporarily located for two years. He was born in the little Commonwealth of Delaware, and was a country boy with the usual educational and business training, and was perhaps thirty-two years of age when he came to Missouri, entering 160 acres of land in Harrison County, which he improved into a good farm, and on which he carried on agricultural operations during the remainder of his life. He was rather past the age to take part in the Civil war, but was a Union man and a strong republican. A Presbyterian in his religion, he was an officer of his church and aided in the building of the Foster Church, the first one erected in this locality, to which he was a large contributor. He also gave more than any other man to the building of the church of that faith at New Hampton. Mr. Virden was a quiet, reserved man, taking but little interest in business matters beyond his control, but was at all times known as a good and practical farmer and as a public-spirited and dependable citizen. Mr. Virden married Miss Caro- line Black, who was born in Surry County, North Carolina, a daughter of a farmer, and she came to Missouri with her widowed mother and a brother, Valentine Black. They settled just west of the Virden farm and she married John W. Virden during the '40s and made him a faithful and helpful wife until her death in 1902. Their children were as follows: William M., who spent his life in Harrison County and died in 1900, unmarried ; Eliza, who died in childhood ; John H., of this review ; Naomi, the wife of James Kinkade, of Harrison County; and Amy, who married Frank Pruden, also of this county.
John H. Virden was reared in the vicinity of his birth and there re-
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ceived his education in the country school which bore the family name. He was reared as an agriculturist and began his career as such, remaining under the parental roof until he reached his majority and then settling on a farm adjoining his present home in section 21. Two years later he moved to his present place in section 16 and erected the first house ever built on this place, the two main rooms of his present home comprising the original dwelling. Here he has resided since the '70s, and as a farmer he has engaged in grain growing and stock feeding, and in the early days in dealing and shipping, while he still ships what he feeds. He owns land in sections 15, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22, aggregating nearly twelve hundred acres, through which the Inter-State Trail passes, as well as two other laid-out trails.
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